How Does Cytomel/T3 Work For Weight Loss?

What is Cytomel/T3?

Cytomel is the commonly associated brand name for the synthetic thyroid hormone Liothyronine Sodium. This is a perfect replica of the naturally produced thyroid hormone triiodothyronine, or what is commonly referred to as the T3 hormone. While synthetic Cytomel has been available since the 1950’s, thyroid hormones including T3 have been used medicinally since the 1890’s. Early thyroid treatment plans were simply pure animal extracts and contained pure forms of the T3 and T4 hormone.

Extracted thyroid hormones proved very useful in therapeutic treatment plans, specifically in the treatment of hypothyroidism. This is a condition in which the thyroid simply no longer produces enough thyroid hormones, which can lead to weight gain, loss of energy, hair loss and changes in the appearance and texture of the skin. With the introduction of Cytomel, the synthetic model of the T3 hormone, this has provided a much safer and sanitary hormone for such treatments.

Cytomel is not the only synthetic thyroid hormone available. The T4 hormone, Levothyroxine Sodium is also available found under the trade name Synthroid most commonly. Both T3 and T4 are very similar in nature; however, T3 is considered 4-5 times more powerful than T4. T4, in simple terms, acts as a reserve for T3, which makes the Cytomel version the more powerful of the two popular thyroid hormones. While both are effective in treating hypothyroidism, Cytomel is the preferred thyroid hormone among performance enhancement athletes. Anabolic steroid users commonly use Cytomel in an effort to lose body fat.

How Does Cytomel Work?

The thyroid gland takes iodine and converts it into the thyroid hormones T4 (thyroxine) and T3. Interestingly, every single cell in the human body depends upon the thyroid hormones T4 and T3 for regulation of their metabolism. Consequently, I hope you can see where cytomel supplementation can come into play for weight loss. T3 is about five times the strength of T4, but under normal conditions the thyroid gland produces only about 20% T3 and 80% T4.

Like most hormones within the body, the thyroid gland is regulated by the pituitary gland, and when it senses an inadequate level of thyroid hormones, it will secrete thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which stimulates the thyroid glands to increase T4 and T3 production. Keep in mind that the body is very sensitive to changes in caloric levels, so after following a reduced calorie diet for an extended period of time, the pituitary gland will decrease TSH levels, resulting in a decreased level of thyroid hormones in the body. This is part of the reason why most dieters hit a plateau in their diet, in spite of making no changes to their diet or training protocol.

Cytomel For Weight Loss

When dieting for an extended period of time the body will decrease thyroid hormone production, since our bodies will be in survival mode. This is something completely logical because a low calorie intake meant to the prehistoric man that famine was approaching and the body would down regulate thyroid hormone production as a defense mechanism to starvation.

Therefore, supplementing with cytomel when dieting will keep the body’s thyroid levels at the original level, so it will prevent the decrease caused by a lack of calorie intake. This is the conservative way to use cytomel. Furthermore, supplementing with cytomel at dosages beyond the body’s natural production will give the individual an even greater base line metabolic rate. As you can see, this is the more aggressive approach, but yet effective.

Effects of Cytomel

The effects of Cytomel are generally the same regardless of the purpose of use, to treat hypothyroidism or enhance fat loss in a performance setting. In both instances, the hormone functions the same as a direct replica of the T3 hormone. Regardless of the initial reason for use, both individuals should be able to enjoy fat loss. The hypothyroidism patient should now have a more properly functioning metabolism, which will help them lose fat. Often this is welcomed as the individual probably put on a fair amount of fat due to the thyroid disorder. For the performance minded, again fat loss is merely accelerated.

Regardless of the specific reason for using Cytomel, while it will enhance the metabolic rate you will still need to diet. In order to lose body fat you must burn more calories than you consume. If you are consuming more than you burn all the Cytomel in the world won’t do anything for you. However, in a performance setting with an individual who already produces adequate amounts of T3, he may find he can now keep his total caloric intake a little higher than he would without it and still lose weight. Due to Cytomel use, the rate by-which calories are burned is now enhanced due to the administration of excess T3 hormone.

Some have also found that the use of Cytomel can be beneficial when using Human Growth Hormone (HGH), particularly when using high doses of HGH. Some data has shown that the use of HGH in high levels may reduce natural T3 production. We cannot call such Cytomel supplementation necessary, but it does appear to have some validity. Regardless, without question the individual who uses Cytomel and HGH in a fat loss plan will lose more body fat at a far more accelerated rate. This is due to HGH carrying tremendous metabolic enhancement properties. If the individual further includes a beta-2 stimulant like Clenbuterol, he will be a fat burning machine.

The final effect of Cytomel revolves around an anabolic nature. Some have suggested that Cytomel carries an anabolic advantage by enhancing the anabolic action of anabolic steroids. The idea is that anabolic steroids provide a greater utilization for carbohydrates, fats and proteins, and as discussed Cytomel promotes the metabolism of such nutrients. Conjoined, in theory this could promote a greater enhancement of the total body. However, while this theory exists and is deemed fact by some performance enhancing athletes, it lacks a lot of solid credibility. Most will find they should only rely on Cytomel for its direct intended purposes.

Cytomel dosage

For the purpose of treating hypothyroidism, Cytomel doses will normally begin at 25mcg per day. After a couple weeks of use, levels are normally rechecked and the dose may be increased by 25mcg. The dose may again be increased to 75mcg per day another two weeks later until a comfortable maintenance level dosing is found. 25-75mcg per day will be average with most finding 25-50mcg per day to be all that’s needed. Regardless of the dose, the entire daily dose can be taken once per day.

In a performance setting, Cytomel doses will be very similar to hypothyroidism treatment plans. The individual will normally begin with 25mcg per day and increase the total dose 12.5-25mcg every 2-4 weeks as needed. Most will find they will have no need to go above 75-100mcg per day, with the 125mcg per day range being acceptable for very short periods of time. Such a high dose might be acceptable at the end of a harsh contest diet but should not be a regular dose through the brunt of the diet. As for total use, 6-8 weeks will be the safest total duration. Longer can be acceptable, such as 8-12 weeks, but it does increase the risk of thyroid dependency.

However, most healthy adults should not have an issue. Once you have reached your high end dose and it’s time to come off, you are encouraged to drop the dose down to 25mcg per day and hold at that dose for 7-10 days. This will allow the body to adjust and protect you from falling into hypothyroidism. For no reason should you discontinue use abruptly, the 7-10 day low dose is imperative.

Cytomel/T3 vs Levothyroxine/T4

​Instead of thinking of Cytomel vs Synthroid I want you to think of them as a complementary pair.

Some people do benefit from Cytomel only (in higher doses), but many people do well on a combination of T4 and T3.

That means adding Cytomel to your current dose of Levothyroxine or Synthroid.

​When it comes to power, Cytomel definitely is STRONGER than Levothyroxine.

But…

You are much more likely to get our Doctor to ADD Cytomel to your current dose of T4 than you are to get him/her to switch you to T3 only.

With that in mind it’s probably better to ​focus on the ratio that you need to lose weight and feel better.

For this I recommend shooting for a ratio of 80/20 of T4:T3.

For instance:

If you were taking 100mcg of T4 you would want to be on around 20mcg of T3.

Simply adding T3 to your existing dose of T4 may improve your overall symptoms by helping to drive down Reverse T3 levels and by directly activating cellular transcription.